Wanting to purchase a new UTV as my '17 ranger was somewhat of a disappointment and wife doesn't like driving it. Friend just bought Lone Star Defender and loves it but he is Canadian. Any pros and cons welcome as I am not familiar with Canam and don't want to make a big mistake.
Help Please.

I've been looking at atvs/utvs, and I'd suggest getting on YouTube and searching for reviews of whatever you're looking for.

chris1515 said:

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I've been looking at atvs/utvs, and I'd suggest getting on YouTube and searching for reviews of whatever you're looking for.

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chris, have done some of that and they have are informative both good and bad. Was hoping to get some trusted Ags real advice that isn't "sponsored" like much info I have seen. Thank you for suggestion.

You'll get several people here telling you to get the canam because of ground clearance and performance. You'll have some tell you to get the new ranger because of performance and options for modifying it. You'll also have some tell you to get a mule pro fxt because of reliability and performance. I think the bottom line is, all 3 are good. I would get the one you like the most and one that has a reputable place to get it serviced close to your house.

All of that said, I have a Polaris 1000xp and love it. Wouldn't hesitate to get a canam though. A buddy on my lease has one and it is an awesome machine. Good luck.

mt3950 said:

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You'll get several people here telling you to get the canam because of ground clearance and performance. You'll have some tell you to get the new ranger because of performance and options for modifying it. You'll also have some tell you to get a mule pro fxt because of reliability and performance. I think the bottom line is, all 3 are good. I would get the one you like the most and one that has a reputable place to get it serviced close to your house.

All of that said, I have a Polaris 1000xp and love it. Wouldn't hesitate to get a canam though. A buddy on my lease has one and it is an awesome machine. Good luck.

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Sound advice. Thank you

seems like the only thing that matters is taking the wife down and letting her drive a few and pick the one that she likes driving.

I just bought a 2021 Canam Defender and I really enjoy it. it is much more comfortable than ranger and mule. I think you should drive Mule and Defenders. Guys at Ogden power sports in Huntsville are amazing they gave best deal and can answer any questions you may have. I highly recommend them.

Anybody got a Canam contact? I'm in Dfw area.

Where are you using it? Is the canam dealer the closest one?

AggieMarkSA said:

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Where are you using it? Is the canam dealer the closest one?

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I am in Palmer, 30 miles South of Dallas
. Closest 2 Canam dealers are Forney and Corsicana at 30 miles. Hoping to find a contact someone knows they could recommend so the pain will not be as bad at the sales desk.

Ok. 30 miles isn't too bad. I look for the closest place with service to help make decisions. I can't speak to the canam's quality personally, but I've heard good things.

I won't talk you out of it - everyone I know who had a Ranger previously now has a Defender Max XT except one friend

Thats 5 out of 6 not including me, b/c I didn't have a Ranger before I bought my Defender Max in 2017

Quite, smooth ride and more comfortable seating than a Ranger in my experience and I use mine regularly hauling feed etc over rough terrain

My BIL has a Can Am at his place and it has been great for hauling feed over rough ground and almost anything else we have tried with it. I wouldn't heistate.

Last year I was going through what you are. I test drove all brands but Kubota....literally. I picked the Can Am Lone Star.
It is built well and rides well and is quiet. I should like it .......but it has an issue that lots of Can Am ' s have with the HD10 engine. Between 2100 and 3800 RPM it surges by about 500-600 RPM. This rpm range is right about the speed you want to drive slow if hunting or looking at animals.
I have had a long journey with two dealers and many phone calls to Can Am. I only have 56 hours on it as it has been at a dealer for many months of its life. Bottom line is Can Am can not fix it and they admit they have the problem. The dealer offered me a new one but it did the same thing on his lot. Even the dealer was upset with Can Am.
Make sure if you purchase one to try it in that RPM range and see if it surges. The most annoying thing I have ever had. Really disappointed ...I would purchase a mule if I had to do over again.

Gunny456 said:

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Last year I was going through what you are. I test drove all brands but Kubota....literally. I picked the Can Am Lone Star.
It is built well and rides well and is quiet. I should like it .......but it has an issue that lots of Can Am ' s have with the HD10 engine. Between 2100 and 3800 RPM it surges by about 500-600 RPM. This rpm range is right about the speed you want to drive slow if hunting or looking at animals.
I have had a long journey with two dealers and many phone calls to Can Am. I only have 56 hours on it as it has been at a dealer for many months of its life. Bottom line is Can Am can not fix it and they admit they have the problem. The dealer offered me a new one but it did the same thing on his lot. Even the dealer was upset with Can Am.
Make sure if you purchase one to try it in that RPM range and see if it surges. The most annoying thing I have ever had. Really disappointed ...I would purchase a mule if I had to do over again.

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I have seen some of the reports from others at various sites that echo your experience. Thought they had corrected the problem for 2021. I want to like the Canam but stories like yours give pause. Thank you for the heads up

I have a mule pro with power steering and love it, my wife easily drives it and likes it as well. The shorter turning radius compared to the other 2 row UTV's on the market was a big factor for me, we live in the pineywoods and it's fairly tight getting around some of the trails. I like the nimble yet comfortable feel of the Mule's ride over the Cadillac-like ride of the Can Am, I haven't ridden a new Ranger so I can't speak to the ride of them.

This could probably be said here or on the thread about the UTV accident, but folks should really think about what they're doing with a UTV before they buy it or start modifying it with lifts, metal roofs, high seats, etc. Practically anything you do to these machines raises the center of gravity and makes them top heavy, I've ridden some that are modified to the point of being dangerous with any sudden turn above walking speed. Personally for what we do with our Mule, I haven't found any limitations to the factory suspension setup, but I also don't push the limits like I used to. These aren't the small 4 wheelers or dirt bikes we grew up with, I keep a Raptor 660 around for the fun stuff.

Gunny456 said:

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Last year I was going through what you are. I test drove all brands but Kubota....literally. I picked the Can Am Lone Star.
It is built well and rides well and is quiet. I should like it .......but it has an issue that lots of Can Am ' s have with the HD10 engine. Between 2100 and 3800 RPM it surges by about 500-600 RPM. This rpm range is right about the speed you want to drive slow if hunting or looking at animals.
I have had a long journey with two dealers and many phone calls to Can Am. I only have 56 hours on it as it has been at a dealer for many months of its life. Bottom line is Can Am can not fix it and they admit they have the problem. The dealer offered me a new one but it did the same thing on his lot. Even the dealer was upset with Can Am.
Make sure if you purchase one to try it in that RPM range and see if it surges. The most annoying thing I have ever had. Really disappointed ...I would purchase a mule if I had to do over again.

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Glad I saw this thread. The wife and I are looking at Can-Am as well. Gunny, have you heard about the same surging issue with the HD8 or is it just the HD10?

I have an HD8 and have no issues at all other than I am spending a lot of money on accessories.

I bought a 2019 Can Am Defender Max Lone Star edition. I have not experienced the surge issue. We use it all of the time on our land and have no regrets. I have owned two Rangers in the past and had no issues.

I've listened to soo many reviews and opinions from utv shops..

It seems they say get a Can Am if you can turn a wrench and don't mind working on it. Get a Polaris General or XP Pro if you can't.

I'd assume they mean the same thing for the working models. Personally, I'd get a general. I've never read a bad thing about them.

Woods Ag said:

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I've listened to soo many reviews and opinions from utv shops..

It seems they say get a Can Am if you can turn a wrench and don't mind working on it. Get a Polaris General or XP Pro if you can't.

I'd assume they mean the same thing for the working models. Personally, I'd get a general. I've never read a bad thing about them.

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I can't turn a wrench.

Sure thing sir. The thing that has bothered me the worst is the total non caring and run around by Can Am's customer service and even worse the factory rep. I finally got a hold of him through one my friends who worked for Evinrude and knew him. Each time I called Can Am I would have to go through the whole story again and would just get lip service. They told me I was the only person having this problem.
I would take it to one dealer they ( Can Am ) told me to take it to. Then they would tell me to take it to a different dealer when that dealer could not fix it. I drove well in excess of 600 miles and two full days chasing this rabbit.
The factory guy finally told me " they all do it.....just don't drive at those speeds". It embarrassing when you are out riding in the pasture with guest and the damn thing is surging back and forth while you are trying to enjoy yourselves.
Can Am' s are anything but cheap as you well know. My dealer finally just said he would give me a new one out of his stock...but when he had it all ready and drove it, it did the surging also.
I have basically given up......supposedly they have some type of new module they thought would fix it. The dealer told me he was going to put it on his and see if it would fix it and then he would call me if it did. I have enquired about the results and never even get a call back.....so I guess it did not fix it.
Seems like if the 2021's don't do it.....they could fix all these in the field that are doing it. Bottom line is they just don't care.
Hope whatever you end up with works good for you ......after all, we are supposed to be having fun with these things...right?
Good luck my friend.

I honestly don't know. Wished I could help there.

Micky......really interested in your 2019. So if you just slowly ad throttle till about 2100 ....on up to say 3650 or so and try to maintain that RPM range you do not get. 500 - 600 RPM oscillation? If you go through that range and always drive it at 4000 and above it does fine....at least that is what mine does.
Within this journey I have now ran across a total of 10 + owners who have this issue. Do you have any idea what day or month yours was built. I understand they made some running changes in 2019 year model and that seems to be when the problem started.
Many thanks for any info.

Gunny,

My CanAm Defender Max Lone Star Edition was built in December 2018.

I just took it out around my place and drove it in high and in low with RPM ranges from 2100 to 3600. It fluctuated only 50 RPMs at any speed in L or H. I was driving on fairly smooth ranch roads, but still attribute the 50 RPM fluctuations to my foot bouncing a little. I did not change from Normal mode to Work or Ecco. And, I was always in 2 WD.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you making the effort and taking your time to do that. That is great good info.
I can only wish mine would run like that.
Thx again sir.

Shamefully, I am mechanically ******ed. Wish I knew someone that knew their way around an automobile and wanted a helper, but to this point I can change my oil, a tire, and charge the battery.. If its something other than that I'm going to break something.

I guide duck hunts on the coast and we have run CANAM defenders for awhile now. We put them through some very tough conditions and they have held up well.

BOUGHT THE LONE STAR EDITION CANAM SATURDAY.THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING ME MAKE A DECISION.

TAMU77CLAY said:

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BOUGHT THE LONE STAR EDITION CANAM SATURDAY.THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING ME MAKE A DECISION.

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Hope you enjoy it as much as we have ours.

Micky80 said:

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TAMU77CLAY said:

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BOUGHT THE LONE STAR EDITION CANAM SATURDAY.THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING ME MAKE A DECISION.

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Hope you enjoy it as much as we have ours.

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Thanks

I am picking my Ranger Crew XP 1000 on Wednesday... the one I test drove is smooth and quiet. Looking forward to having it at the house soon. Can anyone recommend a good gun rack for it?

coastalaggie said:

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I am picking my Ranger Crew XP 1000 on Wednesday... the one I test drove is smooth and quiet. Looking forward to having it at the house soon. Can anyone recommend a good gun rack for it?

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Seismik makes a good one that'll hold two ARs or regular guns, it takes up the middle part of the seat. Kolpin makes a good one to that mounts on the bed and uses hard sided cases. I have both, I prefer the Seismik for ease of access since I normally cruise the ranch with a 17 hmr and an AR for pigs/coyotes. The Koplin gun cases are nice though and rugged. If you go with Seismik you'll need to use a ratchet strap in addition to the seatbelt, I could not get the three point belt tight enough for my liking.

coastalaggie said:

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I am picking my Ranger Crew XP 1000 on Wednesday... the one I test drove is smooth and quiet. Looking forward to having it at the house soon. Can anyone recommend a good gun rack for it?

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I had an aftermarket steel top on my Ranger and installed an overhead rack that was handy to reach and out of site and most weather.

TAMU77CLAY said:

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coastalaggie said:

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I am picking my Ranger Crew XP 1000 on Wednesday... the one I test drove is smooth and quiet. Looking forward to having it at the house soon. Can anyone recommend a good gun rack for it?

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I had an aftermarket steel top on my Ranger and installed an overhead rack that was handy to reach and out of site and most weather.

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which brand did you use?